Photographic exhibiton marks the end of SIMBIOTIC project

The Institute of Earth Systems, University of Malta, is organising a photographic exhibition event in Gozo from the 1st to the 4th of October to mark the end of the SIMBIOTIC (Sicily-Malta BIOgeographical Transboundary Insular Connectivity) project.

A selection of photographs taken by experts during field missions on the project will be on display. These will include some of the flora and fauna which characterises the Maltese and Sicilian natural landscapes.

The SIMBIOTIC project was launched in May 2011 and it embarked on a novel concept for the Maltese islands, consisting of landscape-level restoration based on the notion of restoration ecology of abandoned and degraded sites in the Maltese islands and a proected coastal wetland in southeast Sicily, to create potentional stepping stones for local flora and fauna.

The project proposed a number of activities in Gozo and in Pachino featuring habitat restoration, improved site management, rehabilitation of the Pandani (marshes) of South East Sicily and of the natural Mediterranean maquis in Gozo.

Four sites were chosen in Gozo to be restored under the SIMBIOTIC programme, three sites are on Government land and one other on private land, include the Government Farm at Xewkija, an olive grove at Ta ‘Lambert in Xewkija, a site at Dahlet Qorrot, limits of Nadur and a site on Ghammar Hill near Ta ‘Pinu.

Over 1000 trees were planted in total, including among others oak, carob, olives, Rand, Deru, Yellow Genista, Myrtle and Pine.

The exhibition is taking place at Gozo College Boys’ Secondary School, Europa Street Victoria and will be open between 9.00am and 2.00pm.